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Members => Build Threads => Topic started by: rob.thomson on October 31, 2013, 09:31:36 PM

Title: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on October 31, 2013, 09:31:36 PM
I have had this one sitting in the shed for the past 2 months waiting for bits to arrive.

The motor and servos arrived last week - so out she came for a quick (can you call it a build) assembly.

(http://s15.postimg.org/rbbyxm3cn/IMG_20131031_201512.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rbbyxm3cn/)

This one will be completed with the following:

Sony HQ1 Super HAD 700TVL (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141038272201?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)

Cyclops Storm (http://www.foxtechfpv.com/cyclops-storm-osd-v104-firmware-p-688.html)

200mw boscam tx (http://www.boscamhobby.com/5-8g-200mw-fpv-wireless-av-tx.html#.UnK9uqX7qd4)

Fatshark Spiro Antenna

FrSky RX

... and thats about it.


Not sure yet what power pack I will use - but probably a 4500mah 3 cell.
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: chris-s on October 31, 2013, 09:56:25 PM
Looks like it will soon be ready to fly, mine seems to be taking an age, deciding where to put stuff, soldering up cables and connectors, waiting for bits to arrive then ordering more its I forgot about, its going on forever! There seems to be more electronics going in than they had in Apollo 11.

Chris

Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: Coyote on October 31, 2013, 11:21:25 PM
That`s looking really nice :)
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on October 31, 2013, 11:50:41 PM
Thanks guys.

I am trying to keep it as simple as possible.  I have found that the more you complicate things, the harder it is in the long run!

Got the bulk of it together today - so cant be too far wrong.

Hell.. call me a speed builder!  I put the Z-84 wing together yesterday in about 2 hours :-)
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: Rowgerwulff on November 01, 2013, 12:41:02 AM
Mine spiral dived into a tree about 18mths ago.  :+ If I was going to build another one I'd definitely spend time strengthening it.  Are you bothering with this?
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: _tj_ on November 01, 2013, 02:22:21 AM
Mine balances just right with a zippy 5000mah 3s

I get about 30-40 min flights.
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on November 01, 2013, 09:41:20 AM
I have glass tapped the entire fuselage.

Then glass on then front of wing, and tail.

That should sort most of the impact zones.

A spiral dive?

The model is  T tail.  My guess is maybe you had one wing stall by flying too slow.  This would have started a spin.

No the problem with a t tail is that in a spin, the wing can sometimes shield the tail from airflow, when in a stall condition.  The result - an unrecoverable death spiral!

Not much can fix that one.  Maybe just a touch of nose weight. 

I guess you could put in a servo with a weight shifter on it.  Magically push the cog well forward in an emergency.  But it just too much effort.

The only solution is to not allow it to occur in the first place :(



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Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: Rowgerwulff on November 01, 2013, 10:42:34 AM
I am interested in building another as they're good big stable camera platforms with lots of space to install/separate/access FPV kit.

I think from memory mine had an AUW of about 2kg. There was noticeable flex in the wings and also a rather nasty rotational flex from the root of the fuselage pod boom up to the T-tail. Is that what your glass fibre is designed to do? I have seen some aircraft having been modded with strakes from the fuselage boom up to the horizontal stabliliser to sort that out.  If I'm building another one, I'll have a good look at what people are doing to strengthen their airframes. I'd probably put additional cf strip or rod into the wings too.

(......The crash started when the prop sawed through the Vtx lead......the Vtx being located on the horizontal platform aft of the prop. Video here - it's a very nice normal unexciting flight at dusk until about 0:40. Lots of lessons learnt personally.... :+
http://youtu.be/kvRNdqWi4Jk (http://youtu.be/kvRNdqWi4Jk)
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on November 01, 2013, 11:08:39 AM
Yup.

Glass tape. (Cricket bat repair tape) is an amazing material.

:)

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Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: Rowgerwulff on November 01, 2013, 11:25:20 AM
Sounds like you've got it sorted.  Good luck and let us know how it flies :) Cheers.
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on November 01, 2013, 12:22:52 PM
Sadly I have to wait for my cyclops and the camera to arrive!

Based on your comments - I have just made some quick mods.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/01/6utujavy.jpg)

An angled strut to make the tail more rigid.

And a 5mm spar in the center section of the wing to stiffen it up a bit.



   

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Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: Rowgerwulff on November 02, 2013, 12:13:52 AM
Check out around 1:25 to 1:50 on this vid.....

FPV - Team Echelon - Skywalker Formation Flying: Volume #1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI7DOkHDHaE#ws)
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: Dizzy on November 02, 2013, 12:23:29 AM
Quote from: Rowgerwulff on November 02, 2013, 12:13:52 AM
Check out around 1:25 to 1:50 on this vid.....

FPV - Team Echelon - Skywalker Formation Flying: Volume #1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI7DOkHDHaE#ws)
Thats Sweet we are hoping to do similer with three Penquins next year  :D

dizzy :)

Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on November 02, 2013, 01:05:21 PM
Cyclops Storm turned up today.

All I am now waiting for is the camera.

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Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on November 02, 2013, 05:50:50 PM
Cyclops installed. :)

Also done some work on the camera pod.

I have used a 6 cell balance lead as an interconnect from the camera pod to the model.  This will mean just 1 plug is used to disconnect all the devices on the pod.

Rob

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Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on November 05, 2013, 09:39:08 PM
Skywalker is ready.

Well...  Almost.

Only bits missing are:

Servo expander for the pan tilt.  (I ordered one, but can't find it in my workshop, so just ordered another!)

Ordered a 5000 mah battery.  My 4000 mah will work, but would need lead... So 5000 it is.

I should maiden it later this week/weekend.

Rob

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Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: chris-s on November 05, 2013, 11:01:01 PM
Look forward to the flight report. Mine is still months awaya the current rate.

What servo expander are you using? I'm playing with a frsky x8r, sbus, APM and upto 16 channels.

Chris
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on November 05, 2013, 11:09:31 PM
Why do you need that many channels?

KISS.  Its a good rule to follow, and will get you air borne fast

The expander is this one.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=111205806534

Should do the trick.

Rob

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Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on November 28, 2013, 09:20:05 PM
I just made a mod to my Skywalker.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/29/uvy8y4ym.jpg)

Optional landing gear!

I fly every few weeks from an old airfield.  The gear will be a nice option for touch and go practise on the runway!

I put a ply plate inside the body, and a small plate on the outside.

A carbon tube is attached to the internal plate, and allows me to use elastic bands to secure the undercarriage.

Result..

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Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: chris-s on November 28, 2013, 10:14:09 PM
Neatly done.

Chris
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: BlueFlyer on November 28, 2013, 10:51:25 PM
nice way to mount the landing gear,nice one.

I've got some landing gear for my skywalker but it's the bolt on kind... not done it yet as I don't want to limit my flying locations to flat hard ground only.

might take a design cue from this solution :)
Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: rob.thomson on November 28, 2013, 10:55:40 PM
Took all of 20 minutes to install!

Close up shown in this picture.

    (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/29/6ynepa9e.jpg)

The key is to get a good plate inside the body to spread the load - and stop the carbon tube billing through the foam!

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Title: Re: My Skywalker is taking shape...
Post by: Coyote on December 06, 2013, 04:50:21 PM
Jobs a gooden there Rob :)